Paul Shamplina – TV eviction show star and founder of Landlord Action – is telling the private rental sector to stand by for a possible glut of evictions.
He predicts that Section 21 claims will surge to their highest ever levels in 2025 as landlords try to pre-empt the Labour government’s Renters Rights Bill.
His comments come following the latest Ministry of Justice figures which show that in Q4 2024, there was a sharp acceleration in possession claims, bringing the total for the year to 32,287 – the highest since 2016.
Repossessions by county court bailiffs under Section 21 also reached their highest level since 2017, with 11,373 carried out in 2024 – up 20% from 2023.
Shamplina claims: “The latest possession figures from the Ministry of Justice confirm what I’ve been warning about for years. With the Renters Rights Bill looming, many smaller landlords have panicked, knowing the Section 21 ban is coming, and have chosen to use it before they lose it.
“This directly correlates with the 20% increase in cases we’ve seen at Landlord Action, a consequence of landlords losing confidence in the sector and more landlords seeking possession before the system changes.
“History tells us that when major legislative changes are introduced, landlords react. We saw it with the Deregulation Act in 2015, and now, with a combination of Section 24 tax changes, rising interest rates, EPC regulations, and the uncertainty surrounding rental reforms, it’s simply too much for many smaller landlords.
“Landlords are selling in droves, and sadly, renters are the real losers. The knock-on effect is clear: a surge in Section 21 claims as landlords rush to secure possession before the rules change. Courts are already overwhelmed, and with no additional resources allocated, landlords are facing waits of up to 15 months for eviction dates. This is completely unacceptable.”
Shamplina says that had the previous Conservative government introduced dedicated Housing Courts, the private rental sector wouldn’t be in this mess.
He continues: “Now, as we head into 2025, I predict Section 21 claims will hit their highest levels, particularly in the first six months. The fear among landlords is real.
“Under new possession grounds, it will be even more difficult to reclaim properties.
Looking ahead, the situation will only worsen. Once the new law is in place, landlords looking to sell will need to wait a year and then serve a four-month notice under Ground 1A. This will add further strain on an already struggling court system, pushing local authorities to breaking point as more tenants are forced to stay put until eviction.
“The message is clear: landlords need certainty, tenants need security, and the government must act now to properly resource the courts before the system collapses under the weight of unprecedented demand.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today